News Release

Olympic National Park and Olympic National Forest Fire Update- September 6

Small plumes of smoke from the Eagle Point Fire. Taken from Hurricane Hill Trail.

NPS Photo/R. Kunz

News Release Date: September 6, 2023

Contact: Public Affairs Office, 360-565-3005

Port Angeles, Wash. – After cooler and more humid conditions, fire activity remained quiet today. However, firefighters are planning for a warming and drying trend over the next few days, which could increase fire activity.  

Eagle Point Fire remains at 70 acres. Today, fire crews double checked and secured the fire perimeter near the switchbacks on Obstruction Point Road. Single tree torching was observed when the sun appeared and temperatures warmed.  

The Hurricane Fire is 80% contained and remains at 4 acres. Crews double checked and secured the fire perimeter. The Hurricane Ridge Road will remain open to the public.  

A crew of four firefighters were inserted near the Low Divide and Martins Lake fires. Due to weather conditions, flights were limited, so more crew members will be inserted tomorrow. This crew will help facilitate visitor safety on the North Fork Quinault Trail and Skyline Primitive Trail. The Martins Lake Fire is visible from the lakes; however, no closures are anticipated at this time. Hikers and backpackers should adhere to directions given by firefighters and rangers when traveling through the area.  

The Delabarre and Diamond Mountain fires showed no change from yesterday and remain at the same acreage:  
 

Fire Name	Initial Report	Estimated Size as of 9/6	Location
Hurricane	8/28/23	4 acres	2,000 ft below Hurricane Ridge parking area
Eagle Point	8/28/23	70 acres	~5 miles out Obstruction Point Road
Diamond Mountain	9/1/23	25 acres	3.3 miles NE of   Anderson Pass
Low Divide	9/1/23	4.5 acres	N. Fork Quinault drainage
Delabarre	9/1/23	1 acre	3 miles SE of Mount Christie
Martins Lake	9/2/23	.1 acres	2 miles NE of Mount Christie

 

Fire is an integral part of the forested ecosystems on the Olympic Peninsula; plants and animals here have evolved with fire for thousands of years. Many factors such as weather, topography, and vegetation influence fire behavior and the effects that fires have on natural resources. 

Olympic National Forest Fires 

The Tunnel Creek Fire, located east of the Buckhorn Wilderness in the Olympic National Forest, is 60% contained, and is estimated at just under 1 acre in size. Moderated weather conditions continue to help firefighters as they work to create handline around the remaining perimeter of the fire. Visitors are asked to avoid the area for public and firefighter safety. For additional information contact the Olympic National Forest Supervisor’s Office at [phone].  

Background Information 

All six active fires in Olympic National Park ignited when a series of lightning strikes occurred on the Olympic Peninsula. 

On August 18, Olympic National Park and Olympic National Forest implemented a fire ban including charcoal fires. The move to Stage 2 fire restrictions is due to continued hot and dry conditions that are forecasted to continue at least through the end of October as dry conditions in the region persist. One less spark means one less wildfire.  

Closures  

Obstruction Point Road and the trailhead will be closed until further notice. Olympic National Park Wilderness Information Center (WIC) will be notifying backcountry permit holders who may be impacted by this closure. Any permit holders who plan to backpack via the Obstruction Point Trailhead should contact the WIC at 360-565-3100 or https://www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/wic.htm.    

Weather and Fire Behavior 

A couple lingering showers are moving along the coast. Otherwise, mix of clouds and sun will continue for the rest of today into Thursday. Clouds may increase Thursday afternoon into Friday morning, before clearing Friday afternoon. High pressure will build into the region going into the weekend. Firefighters are preparing for warmer and dryer conditions.  
 

Information for the Eagle Point Fire can be found at: Eagle Point Fire Information | InciWeb (wildfire.gov) 

Information for the Hurricane Fire can be found at: Hurricane Fire Information | InciWeb (wildfire.gov) 

Olympic National Park information: www.nps.gov/olym  
Olympic National Forest information: www.fs.usda.gov/olympic 
State and county area burn bans: www.waburnbans.net   

--NPS--